Absolutely. And then it becomes a case of who does it on the ice.
- MJL

I agree with respecting the opponent but I want the Flyers to still play with that swagger like they did in Game 6 against the Pens. If they continue to play hungry hockey and get pucks deep I'm very confident the Flyers will control this series.

I didn't follow the Devils closely at all this season, but from what I understand Kovalchuk has really come into his own as a more complete two way player this year. Perhaps one of our visiting friends can enlighten us?
- BulliesPhan87

Definitely has. He's much more aware in his own zone and actually back checks consistently. The one flaw still in his defensive game is that he's not great in the zone once we get the puck. Like one poster said, he has a tendency to throw it in front of our own net, try to force a cross ice pass, etc.

He is capable of being lights out for a game or two, not for the series. I guess according to you the flyers should just pack it up and go home. I think you underestimate our fire power.
- Philly1980

I don't see the Devils turning up the heat like the Penguins did, so no I don't expect 4-5 goals a game.

On the flip side I don't see the devils being so defensively irresponsible and Brodeur will be solid.

So long as the Flyers play tight and disciplined, not making stupid turnovers and putting some JAM on it, things should be fine. Flyers in 5.
- JoeRussomanno

I'm actually going to type this...
If JVR can get his skating legs and the 4th line continues to produce, the Flyers have a great chance on winning the series.
The defense will need to continue block a ton of shots like they did the last series.
depth depth depth depth

One play doesn't mean a player sucks. You could look at one play where a mistake was made by many on the Flyers. Does that mean they suck also on defense? The Flyers gave up 10 goals in a playoff game.
- MJL

My comments were based on what the announcers said about his play during the whole series versus FLA, not necessarily that one play. I hadn't watch the whole series or even that whole game.

The stat's didn't support what the announcers said about his ice time. But, the stat's do support that he sux defensively - over the past series. For the playoffs - most of the NJ players are + in the +/- column. Kovalchuk stats are a -3, the worst for NJ - that's with his 5points. Which means, the series had 17 goals against for NJ, Kovalchuk was on the ice for 8 of them or about half...

- JoeRussomanno

Thank you please give that saber to Darth Roo

Dan Rosen ‏ @drosennhl

Hart Trophy finalists are Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos and Henrik Lundqvist.

Pissed @ No Giroux? And who would you take out for him?

Well a guy who scored a ton of goals but led his team to a non playoff berth was more valuable than a guy who had 93 points and led his team to 103 points.

That's right, Giroux not a Hart finalist. Malkin, Stamkos & Lundqvist
- Jsaquella

Its ridiculous that he wasn't a finalist, but theres only one trophy I'm concerned about at this point

My comments were based on what the announcers said about his play during the whole series versus FLA, not necessarily that one play. I hadn't watch the whole series or even that whole game.

The stat's didn't support what the announcers said about his ice time. But, the stat's do support that he sux defensively - over the past series. For the playoffs - most of the NJ players are + in the +/- column. Kovalchuk stats are a -3, the worst for NJ - that's with his 5points. Which means, the series had 17 goals against for NJ, Kovalchuk was on the ice for 8 of them or about half...
- leon neon

And they were all Kovy's fault...

Dan Rosen ‏ @drosennhl

Hart Trophy finalists are Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos and Henrik Lundqvist.

Pissed @ No Giroux? And who would you take out for him?
- mrhattrick27

Stamkos.

Thank you please give that saber to Darth Roo
- Philly1980

not sure who you're talking about

Excuse me for showing some pride in our boys. 
- Philly1980

You can show pride in your team while also remaining objective.

Dan Rosen ‏ @drosennhl

Hart Trophy finalists are Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos and Henrik Lundqvist.

Pissed @ No Giroux? And who would you take out for him?
- mrhattrick27

The guy that wears a queens crown on his helmet. Having three goalies doesnt hurt lol.

Its ridiculous that he wasn't a finalist, but theres only one trophy I'm concerned about at this point
- funmaster18

the one thing that you see with this team is that they care...i know it may not make a lot of sense but when they lost, they showed that they cared that they lost compared to teams in the past.
I know as a fan I want to see that passion from them and I want them to talk about...

You can show pride in your team while also remaining objective.
- MJL

I do, but im gonna flat out say it if this match up favors us. Does not mean well win but we should win.

Its ridiculous that he wasn't a finalist, but theres only one trophy I'm concerned about at this point
- funmaster18

Giroux definitely should have been there. I know Stamkos got 60, but its not like that got his team anywhere.

Giroux definitely should have been there. I know Stamkos got 60, but its not like that got his team anywhere.
- rmdevil313

Id rather have him win the Conn Smythe

Dan Rosen ‏ @drosennhl

Hart Trophy finalists are Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos and Henrik Lundqvist.

Pissed @ No Giroux? And who would you take out for him?
- mrhattrick27

Let's see who gets further in the playoffs and gets the trophy you earn not that your popularity wins for you.

My comments were based on what the announcers said about his play during the whole series versus FLA, not necessarily that one play. I hadn't watch the whole series or even that whole game.

The stat's didn't support what the announcers said about his ice time. But, the stat's do support that he sux defensively - over the past series. For the playoffs - most of the NJ players are + in the +/- column. Kovalchuk stats are a -3, the worst for NJ - that's with his 5points. Which means, the series had 17 goals against for NJ, Kovalchuk was on the ice for 8 of them or about half...
- leon neon

Jagr, Schenn, and Simmonds are all -3.

Definitely has. He's much more aware in his own zone and actually back checks consistently. The one flaw still in his defensive game is that he's not great in the zone once we get the puck. Like one poster said, he has a tendency to throw it in front of our own net, try to force a cross ice pass, etc.
- rmdevil313

I'd be that poster... And, my comments were centered around this past series only. The announcers made it seem like he was noticeable worse... pressure getting to him? He doesn't have a lot of playoff experience, playing for the Thrashers all those years... And, any discussion on his defense has to be tempered with his offensive talents.

Alright, now that the first round is over we can take look back at our predictions. I've gone back to the blog where I asked for predictions and tabulated the results. I had asked for which teams would win and the number of games to do so. So for those who were adventurous enough to participate here are your grades.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...p?thread_id=97569&page=12

opeth_pa - teams = 6/7 (did not pick PIT/PHI winner ), games = 2/7

RooNosHockey - 5/8, 0/8

flyersfan51 - 5/7 (also stayed away from PIT/PHI ), 1/7

jak521 - 4/8, 2/8

rockychocbill - 4/8, 1/8

stveshdy - 4/8, 1/8

Deasr1 - 3/8, 0/8

Dont mind at all that Giroux got snubbed for the Hart. Not that he needs any more motivation but it just adds an extra chip onto his shoulder. So when he hoists the Cup and the Conn Smythe he can grin and say, "Have fun with the Hart Malkin"

Let's see who gets further in the playoffs and gets the trophy you earn not that your popularity wins for you.
- JoeRussomanno

Joe I'm expecting a huge serious from Bryzgalov.

Tallinder has a blod clot, not expected back for the season.

Harrold vs Larsson is debatable. Larsson really never recovered well after being hit by Subban, and Harrold was very steady at the end of the year. Harrold is prone to his share of mistakes and doesn't really have the size of Larsson, but when he's playing well, he tends to make good outlet passes and is very comfortable in the offensive zone.
- rmdevil313

thanks rm

Joe I'm expecting a huge serious from Bryzgalov.
- stveshdy

We CI2I